I got a basketball jones...

Well the Final Four is set and I am sure everyone out there had Kentucky, Louisville, Ohio State, and Kansas in their office pool. It has been a great tournament to this point with some great games that have gone down to the wire. I know I didn't pick Kentucky to win; however, they are looking especially great at this point. They are playing with enthusiasm and are chock full of potential pros. They have shown their quicker and faster than the teams they are playing and are shooting lights out from the free throw line. It is a deadly combination for teams that are trying to guard them. They are able to blow by defenders and are forcing them to react which is resulting in multiple fouls and many trips to the charity stripe. It is working tremendously to this point. What they haven't had yet is a close game where the last few possessions decide the game. This is where youth can be a factor.

They do now face a Louisville team that plays wonderful defense. They played earlier in the season and it was a 7 point game that Kentucky was able to win. Lousville is a very different team than the one who played before. They have really changed and are peaking at the right time. They have showed an ability to comeback and finish a game as they did against Florida. Coach Pitino is a great coach and it shows by him taking 3 different schools to the Final Four in four different decades.

I see this game being close like before as these are bitter rivals and the state of Kentucky will no doubt be going berserk. The way both these schools fan bases travel it will be crazy. I am sure the Wildcats are obviously happy to be in the Final Four but not happy to be playing Louisville. Guard play for Louisville will be the key to this contest. Peyton Siva will have to be extremely careful with the ball and keep his turnovers to a minimum. He doesn't have to score big points he just needs to manage the game and distribute to his teammates. It sounds simple but the rest of the Cardinals will have to make shots. If Louisville can minimize turnovers and their transition defense stays steady then they should do well. Kentucky will score and want to run. Kentucky's combination of Kidd-Gilchrist and Davis will be too much ultimately and Kentucky wins by 10 sending them to Championship Monday.

The second game will be a total dog fight. The Ohio State Buckeyes verses the Kansas Jayhawks. Kansas has a distinct advantage in the interior with Robinson and Withey patrolling the paint. Sullinger is a beast down low but has been prone to getting in foul trouble. He needs to stay on the floor if they are going to play for a National Championship. The perimeter is loaded with talent on both teams. Kansas's Elijah Johnson and Tyshawn Taylor are studs and really compliment each other. Johnson has been clutch in victories over Purdue and N.C. St. Taylor was super in the win today against UNC. E.J. strokes threes with such ease as well as finds his teammates for easy looks and Taylor attacks the rim with fervor. Ohio State will need a great game out of William Buford and this is when seniors should deliver. They also will need an extra special defensive effort from super on-the-ball defender Aaron Craft. He has such quick hands and feet and will need to get in the head of the Kansas guards who have been turnover prone. Kansas has been knocking on the door of losing since the Purdue game and this is a much better team from he B1G Ten. I see Ohio State winning by the slimmest of margins and meeting Coach Cal and the boys from Kentucky for the National Title.

I will reserve my thoughts on the championship game until this Sunday afternoon.
Hopefully my predictions are right like I always am. At least that is what my wife tells me!

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Additional Thoughts...

I have been thinking about the search for Illinois next head basketball coach. The public perception being that Shaka Smart was the man to get and Illinios didn't deliver the #1 choice or that he turned them down. We really don't know what the process is or was. He may not have even been contacted and just wanted to dispel any rumors or thoughts for his family and fans that he was staying at VCU. I totally respect him more now than I did before. I am thinking back to when Bill Self left Illinois for Kansas way back in 2003. People were so upset that he left and how could he leave and why didn't he want to stay here and build something of his own. I feel that the "grass is always greener" logic works for those of us here but not for anyone else that we want for our head coach. I think by him staying and building a culture and life at VCU speaks volumes about the person he is and what is most important to him. If you are happy somewhere why would you leave. Is money that important? Is power that important? Or is family stability and well being most important? I think he answered that loud and clear with his decision.

Now this brings Illini Nation to who is going to be the next coach.

There are a great deal of candidates but the one that fits the Mike Thomas mold is John Groce of Ohio U. He is a MAC coach who has Midwestern ties and has been successful in the tournament this season. He was an assistant coach under Thad Matta and was instrumental in recruiting players like Greg Oden and Mike Conley, Jr. to Columbus. He is realivelty young and shows an enthusiasm for winning that was evident during their game against North Carolina. I feel he could recruit the players Illinois wants and needs. He would retain Jerrance Howard to keep the continuity of the program and making the current players feel comfortable with the new coach.

He would though need to build a staff that reflects two things. One would be a coach from the inner city of Chicago. This is most important to keep Chicago in the loop and appease those in the Windy City. Two he needs to add a well respected former Illini player to his staff in the addition to Jerrance Howard. I have looked around the landscape of teams and just for my own personal interest I check various assistant coaches to see who they are and if they are former players from that school. You see this the most at Duke where the coaching tree is littered with former Dukies. This is very attractive to prospective players as they can relate and give experience of life as an Illini.

There are a few players I think would be great in this role. One is Deon Thomas as he fits two of the criteria. He is a former Chicago Simeon H.S. player and Illini great. He has played professionally for years and could help with the big men we have. Two would be Kenny Battle. He is a beloved former player and member of the Flyin Illini. Having the energy he still brings to the game would be a tremendous assest to the current and potential players. Illinois needs that passion for the program. Three would be Lucas Johnson. That guy played with toughness and determination. He wasn't the most athletic player or the most gifted player but he worked his butt off and left it all on the court. I don't know if he is even interested in coaching but he is the type of player that is missing from these current Illini players.

Mike Thomas has an extremely hard job and it is only getting harder as the days go by. He needs to hit a home run with this hire as he is filling a position that was held by a very well respected coach and a coach that took Illinois to the farthest it had every been in the NCAA tournament. He was down the past few years but still you have to nail this one because you can't continue to go in reverse. I can't wait for the news.

Let's Dance!

We are on the eve of the greatest 3 weeks in sports, the NCAA Tournament, which starts tomorrow evening with the first four in Dayton, OH. This tournament always supplies crazy finishes and amazing stories. This year shouldn't be any different. I just finished filling out my one and only bracket sheet and will go through each region giving my Power Conference Player to Watch, Mid Major Player to Watch, sleeper picks, potential upsets, and culminating with my Final Four picks and my national champion. So here we go...

SOUTH BRACKET:

Power Conference Player to Watch: Anthony Davis, Kentucky,
He changes things on both sides of the floor. The future #1 pick of the NBA draft has reach so long and can block almost any shot he seems like Plastic Man! He has dominated the paint offensively and defensively this season so much that their opponents fear taking anything down low. There are more than a few players with Spalding tattooed on their foreheads. If they make the run everyone expects then he should shatter the total blocks record for the tournament.

Mid Major Player to Watch: Mike Moser, UNLV
The man averages a double double and is a beast inside. He cleans up the middle so their guards can rain the threes. Can't express enough the importance of rebounding the basketball. Creates more possessions for your team and generates more points which Mike does very well.

Sleeper Pick: #6 UNLV

Potential Upset Special: #13 New Mexico State over #4 Indiana

Sweet Sixteen: #1 Kentucky v. #5 Wichita State, #6 UNLV v. #2 Duke

Elite Eight: #1 Kentucky v. #6 UNLV

Final Four: #1 Kentucky

WEST BRACKET:

Power Conference Player to Watch: Draymond Green, Michigan State
The most versatile player in the tournament. He is a poor man's Magic Johnson. He is as charismatic and driven player I have seen in a long time. His leadership is unquestioned. Has a will to win and is a coach on the floor. He has the capability to single handedly lead his team to a championship like Danny Manning and the Miracles in 1988.

Mid Major Player to Watch: (tie) Casper Ware, Long Beach State, Isaiah Cannon, Murray State
First Casper is a friendly player but strikes ghostly fear in his opponents when he steps on the court. He is the two time player of the year in the Big West Conference and his range starts when he enters the gym. Watch for him to splash three after three after three.

Second and not in rank but only for purposes for my posting Isaiah is a fearless player. He is the spark that makes these Racers go. He has great feel for the game and pro potential. Look up on Youtube sometime his name and there are plenty of high lights including one where a poor soul falls on his backside after a killer stop and pop three. Classic!

Sleeper Pick: #12 Long Beach State

Potential Upset Special: #13 Davidson over #4 Louisville

Sweet Sixteen: #1 Michigan State v. #12 Long Beach State, #3 Marquette v. #2 Missouri

Elite Eight: #1 Michigan State v. #2 Missouri

Final Four: #1 Michigan State

EAST BRACKET:

Power Conference Player to Watch: Dion Waiters, Syracuse
This guy is not your average bench player. Yes he comes off the bench for #1 seed Syracuse but he plays starter minutes. It isn't who starts the game it is who finishes. If you have watched him play he has a killer instinct and wants the ball at crunch time. Should really have to step up now with the suspension of Fab Melo. I won't change my picks as I am sticking to it but will be tough going forward.

Mid Major Player to Watch: Andrew Nicholson, St. Bonaventure
This Canadian picked the right sport going with basketball. He is a solid 18 point and 8 rebound performer that puts up solid numbers night in and night out. A good touch around the tin and can defend his area with vigor.

Sleeper Pick: #13 Montana

Potential Upset Special: #13 Montana over #4 Wisconsin

Sweet Sixteen: #1 Syracuse v. #13 Montana, #3 Florida State v. #2 Ohio State

Elite Eight: #1 Syracuse v. #2 Ohio State

Final Four: #1 Syracuse

MIDWEST BRACKET:

Power Conference Player to Watch: Thomas Robinson, Kansas
T-Rob is a wonderful story both on the court and off. He is a dominating post presence with his deft offensive skills and take no prisoner ability to rebound the basketball. He demands double teams and still is able to score with ease. He averages close to 18 points and 12 rebounds for a very talented #2 seed. He will be a high pick in the NBA draft right behind another big man who was mentioned earlier. It says something about a player when your coach is quoted as saying he hopes T-Rob doesn't return to school because he is NBA ready and his family is in need of his help. Touching story and it is hard not to root for players like this as basketball is really secondary to real life issues.

Mid Major Player to Watch: (tie) Doug McDermott, Creighton, Ray McCallum, Detroit
Who out there has every played for their Dad and lived to tell the tale. It can be difficult as you are held to a higher standard than the rest of the team members. Doug has taken his to an even higher level. This former Ames, IA standout and former teammate of UNC's Harrison Barnes is showing that maybe UNC grabbed the wrong guy. He has skill set for a man his size that is hard to find. He has a beautiful touch and range from outside and the moves down low that allows him to capitalize on slower bigs. Can flat out SCORE!

Wait there is another great player who is playing for his Dad and this time snubbed all the bigger schools in the process to play in Detroit? Yes, that man is Ray McCallum Jr. The McDonald's All-American is young but extremely long on talent. He is explosive to the rack and fast up the court. He has great moves with the ball and can get his own shot. He distributes the ball effectively well and finds his teammates for easy buckets. Should be fun to watch him and his teammates play KU.

Sleeper Pick: #6 San Diego State

Potential Upset Special: #14 Belmont over #3 Georgetown

Sweet Sixteen: #1 North Carolina v. #4 Michigan, #6 San Diego State v. #2 Kansas

Elite Eight: #1 North Carolina v. #2 Kansas

Final Four: #2 Kansas

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Final Four - New Orleans

#1 Kentucky v. #1 Michigan State

#1 Syracuse v. #2 Kansas

National Championship Game: #1 Michigan State 71 v. #1 Syracuse 69

National Champion: #1 Michigan State.

Most Outstanding Player: Draymond Green.
Like I said earlier he is a special player that wills his team to win. I wouldn't be surprised if he puts up triple double numbers on Championship Monday.

Can't wait to find out! The music has started and it is time to dance!

You down with P.E.D.'s?

Spring Training is now upon us and with pitchers and catchers reporting for duty it is time to discuss some baseball. I really wanted to take a week to gather my thoughts on the issue that has taken the baseball world by storm. NL MVP Ryan Braun who had tested positive for PED's has players, media types, and fans deciding for themselves whether or not to believe or disbelieve the results from his urine test. When this first surfaced he was instantly chastised and people were upset with yet another superstar player potentially using PED's. The list was seemingly growing longer and longer even with Major League Baseball instituting better testing, harsher penalties, and a willingness to clean up the sport. This test couldn't possibly be anything other than the truth. Fast forward to just a week ago and the unthinkable happened. After Braun did clearly deny having taken any PED's and even going so far as to ask for a DNA test to prove the urine wasn't his, he amazingly won his appeal. MLB was beside itself. No more 50 games suspension. A precedent was set. It is possible to test positive for a foreign substance and still win your appeal. The problem though lies with how he won the appeal. The collector of the sample who has been doing this for years was found to have not followed proper procedure. The test was not tampered with but having not followed proper procedure he was "getting off" with a technicality. Now what does this mean. It means MLB potentially has future problems with their testing and now must reevaluate the complete process. As For Ryan Braun it depends on the court of public opinion. I really feel this is a bad year for this to happen to Braun. Prince Fielder is now gone to Detroit to follow in his dad's footsteps and this leaves Braun without the protection of his massive bat to hit in front of. This was a big reason he was so successful as he saw good pitches the same as "insert player name here" has with Albert Pujols over his career. This will most likely lead to lower numbers for the season and can have fans and the media making the assumption that due to the testing issue he now "really" isn't on PED's and the season numbers are a result. He will be guilty either way. If he really used them he is a cheater and if he didn't really use them and has a bad year it is because he probably used them before. He really is in a horrible situation. I am not here to judge Ryan Braun or the other players in the past who have used or have been thought to have used PED's. I just know that in all sports players want to get an edge over the next player and when you are relatively young and inexperienced that you will do just about anything to be the best. It happens in football, basketball, cycling, and obviously baseball. It just seems different when baseball is concerned because baseball is so numbers driven. I can name stats from my favorite players and have been handed down numbers from my grandfather when we talked baseball as a kid. 61 was a number that meant something sacred. We thought 70 that magical year in 1998 meant something as well. Then Barry Bonds blasted 74 a few years later and the mystique of baseball just was lost. It just isn't the same anymore and it has really tainted the spirit of the game. Again I don't know if Ryan Braun used PED's or if he is just naturally gifted. What I do know is that he will never be the same player in my mind and other people's minds. We will always wonder what is real and what is not. And that is sad. In a sport that is there to help take away for a moment the stress and heartache of our daily lives it is ultimately adding more to that distress.

The magic that is Major League Baseball is revealing itself as just an illusion.

And I really want to believe in magic.

THE NBA ALL STAR WEEKEND

This weekend will be a showcase of the total NBA experience. The NBA All-Star festivities will take place in Orlando, Florida with the very best the game of basketball has to offer. Or will it? The All-Star Saturday Night activities over the past twenty some odd years have brought some of the best memories for me. The slam dunk contest alone has pitted some of the games all-time greats. Who doesn't remember Michael Jordan flying through the air from the free throw line defeating Domonique Wilkens with a big 50 pointer. Those battles are legendary and Jordan came away a winner every time. I can still remember Spud Webb dropping jams and 360 slam dunks and wondering how someone 5'7'' could do such a thing. It was exciting and we flocked to the TV to catch the next great event. The slam dunk contest wasn't the only exhibition that brought memories that have lasted for me. My favorite memory happened in the three point contest and Larry Legend was the man. My friends and I were watching as Larry Bird was down in points and needed to run the last rack to win the championship. Like only a true HOFer could, he proceeded to drain everyone of those shots. He was unconscious, almost in a trance, and as he released the very last ball he calmly strutted away. He walked knowing the last ball was destined for the bottom of the net with his hand high and his finger pointing number one as the ball was still in the air. He knew without even having to see it go through the net that his release was pure and the championship was his. He was so money and what a way to showcase it. The best shooter in the game showed up and proved it. These are just a few examples of why this weekend has been so great for the NBA basketball fan. I just wish it was still like this. The NBA does a great job giving back to the fans and trying to make this weekend relevant. They have added skills competitions, celebrity games, and this year have even added LINSANITY to the mix. (For those who don't know by know Mr. Jeremy Lin by way of Harvard and New York Knicks who has taken the NBA by storm) They are desperately trying to recapture the magic of years past and what has for a long time been a wonderful All-Star festivities and game. The problem now is that the best players in the game like Lebron, Kobe, Durant, Rose, etc. don't want to participate in the whole experience. The slam dunk contest has been tweaked and changed with it now being just a shell of its former self. I can't even tell you how disappointing it is to tell my children that Chase Buddinger is in the slam dunk contest and that he wouldn't even be able to hold Jordan's towel back in the old days. To not have the best athletes throwing down dunks and letting little known players perform is embarrassing for the league that was built on high energy, high athleticism, and great action. I think the NBA does a great job with fan friendly experiences and they are fabulous and should continue but if the best of the best aren't going to participate then maybe scrap the dunk contest all together. The three point contest can still be awesome but the stars of stars need to take a page out of Mr. Bird's book and step up to the three point line and compete. The competitiveness of all NBA athletes is at a high level, but we the fans want to see them breakthrough to the highest level. They deserve to see the best compete. It won't keep me from watching this weekend but I am hoping for yet another memory I can to add to my list of favorites.

I just hope the memory is of an ALL STAR and not an ALMOST STAR!

Enough is Enough

This past evening I watched as the buzzer sounded and yet another Illini Basketball loss was added to their record. The House of Paign has turned into a House of Shame. The days of coming to Champaign and knowing the Illini were going to win their home games now just seems like a distant memory in the rear view mirror that is the Bruce Weber Era. Bruce was lucky enough to coach talent like Deron Williams, Dee Brown, James Augustine, Luther Head, and Roger Powell. His system worked with elite talent who can pass and shoot the basketball and make sound decisions. The product was a National Championship appearance and the expectations of greater seasons to come. This just has not happened. The seasons since Dee and James left as seniors have been mediocre at best. They have gone from talking Final Fours to a group of low level BCS teams on the Final Four Out List who have to sweat out Selection Sunday to see if they will be dancing. Illinois should never be a bubble team. Ever. The fans deserve better. The University of Illinois is ripe for being a national basketball powerhouse. People like to use the term "sleeping giant" to refer to programs that have all the resources and potential, but just needs the right person to wake it up and lead them to the promised land. I feel Illinois had that in Bill Self. He was a take no prisoners recruiter and he showed what Illinois can produce with home grown talent from Chicago as well as national recruiting out of state. If you can recruit Chicago and get the best talent from the state of Illinois you will compete at the highest level not only in the Big Ten but nationally. The problem with Coach Weber is that he is too old school for the current state of college basketball. He plays a slow style of basketball that kids just don't want to play. Kids want to run up and down the court and play a free style of offense. In order to play that style you have to recruit players who have those skill sets. The current Illini players are slashing, driving, and running type of players which would fit to a faster paced offense. In Weber's offense they don't shoot jump shots particularly well and watching them weave and run 30 seconds off the shot clock and then have Brandon Paul throw up a bail out three is just painful. I believe there is talent on the current team but for what ever reason it isn't jelling and that is the job of the coach. I really don't like calling for people to be fired from their jobs, as I wouldn't want that for me, but I also am realistic in the nature of being a Division I head basketball coach at a Top 15 program historically in that this is what comes with it. I really think regardless of what happens the rest of the season it is time new Athletic Director Mike Thomas does what he did for the football program and makes a change. In doing so he needs to find someone who is a fearless recruiter, a young tireless worker, and has an open offensive mind. (It wouldn't even hurt to hire the first African-American coach either.)The key really is finding someone with Midwest/Chicago ties who can lock down the Chicago market and keep homegrown talent in state. We need to keep the likes of North Carolina, Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, etc. from taking our talent elsewhere. It CAN be done just look at the 1989 Flying Illini basketball team and everyone of those players were form the state of Illinois. There is a reason people still talk about them so highly. They were awesome and Illinois produced them. Enough is Enough and the ILLINI NATION can't take it anymore. It is time to change the culture in Champaign and get the Illini a new leader.

Illini basketball has slept long enough and the giant is ready to wake up.

Rivalry Week

Man I love a good rivalry!

I was sitting in the comfort of my living room last night when Duke freshman Austin Rivers reminded me just WHY I love a good rivalry.

It was a game where North Carolina was seemingly in control from mid first half on, however; games can change in a heartbeat. Duke was able to withstand this deficit and make a huge run with only 2 minutes and change remaining making it a two point game with just seconds left. N.C's Tyler Zeller was at the free throw line trying to make it a three point lead but he missed the shot and Duke was instantly in freestyle mode with no T.O's. As the precious seconds were ticking away and Duke was down 84-82 it was bringing back memories of mine as a kid of this same situation. I was having visions of Nick Anderson popping a three against "That Classic Bully" Bob Knight and his Indiana Hoosiers in 1989. I was recalling Andy Kaufman nailing a three against Iowa in 1990 that has been permanently tattooed on my brain. This young man was oblivious to the moment and magnitude of what will come in the future of this one shot as he was about to release. It was the difference of either winning and Duke immortality or taking that 8 mile bus trip back home with North Carolina fans having bragging rights once again. It was apparent this young freshman was not going to look for overtime. As the camera scanned the situation I was watching the sea of powder blue throughout the stands as some were cheering and others were just stoic in their gaze. The crowd noise was at a deafening level. History was on the verge of being made as these kids were trying to settle past, present, and future scores. So with North Carolina holding a slim two point lead 84-82 in the waning seconds Austin Rivers let loose the basketball with 1.1 seconds left and watching it float like a cloud. It seemed to hang their for awhile until it fell safely through the net stunning a packed Dean Dome. Duke 85, North Carolina 84. The shot was yet another reminder why rivalries are so much better than a regular game against another opponent. When the ball splashed through the net two things happened. One was the hearts of Carolina Fans everywhere sank into a deep depression and disbelief. The second was the pure emotion that exploded out of the Duke bench from the student athletes to the coaches who were acting like kids again. Only a true rivalry does this reaction occur. Sure Duke could have beaten another team on a last second trifecta but this was different. It was an outcome that will be talked about on Tobacco Road for decades. Their campuses are only 8 miles apart. People use the same stores and you see the same people wearing Duke Blue or Carolina Blue. It just transcends the sport as it is a way of life. Families are brought up either one team or the other or worse families are split with their allegiance. It doesn't just end with these two teams as rivalries have added that little extra over the years in all sports. I can still remember when the Bears beat the Packers 6 days after Walter Payton passed away and they miraculously blocked a chip shot field goal. It would have made all Chicago Bears fans happy had they blocked any other teams attempt but it was especially gratifying that it was against the Packers. This was personal. Years of blood, sweat, and tears. Only a true rivalry brings this out.

Rivalry.

Just saying that word conjures up excitement and the wantonness to create another lasting memory.

And I totally have enough room for another tattoo on my brain.

SUPER BOWL XLVI

We have a rematch of Super Bowl XLII.

New England Patriots versus New York Giants.

It was just four years ago the Patriots were coming to Super Bowl XLII undefeated and being touted as possibly the greatest team of all time. Tom Brady was gunning for Super Bowl victory number four putting him in elite company with Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana as the only quarterbacks with four Super Bowl Championships. The Giants were coming in on a hot streak and with a nasty defense. They were playing their best football of the season. The Giants had played the final game of the regular season against New England with the Patriots winning 38-35 and securing a perfect season. The Super Bowl rematch was very different. A defensive battle where the Giants front line attacked Brady all game. He was able to lead the Patriots down the field late to take a 14-10 lead surely securing the championship and immortality. Little time was left for Eli Manning and company to spring the upset and dash the hopes of Brady and the Pats. It was not be for the Patriots that day. It took a crazy scramble by Eli and an even crazier catch on the helmet of David Tyree in the waning minutes to keep hope alive and keep the 1972 Dolphins as the only undefeated team in NFL history. The Giants won that Super Bowl on defense, toughness, and little bit of divine intervention. It also doesn't hurt to have a super clutch quarterback in Eli Manning. He out dueled Tom Brady that day and matched his brother Peyton as a Super Bowl winning quarterback. It was a classic!

Which brings me to this years Super Bowl. Super Bowl XLVI.

This game is setting up eerily similar to their previous match ups. They again met earlier this year and the Giants were able to win with defense and Eli stepping up huge late in the fourth quarter to snatch victory away from the Patriots. These comebacks are beginning to be common place for Eli Manning, especially against the Patriots. Super Bowl XLVI shouldn't be any different.

The Patriots again have one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL but it comes with questions. The biggest question coming into the game has been the health of Rob Gronkowski. The All-Pro tight end hasn't been practicing due to a high ankle sprain and he is a serious weapon in the Patriots arsenal. The Patriots love to run two tight end sets and not having both of them fully healthy will alter their ability to advance down the field. The Giants aggressive defense will hound Brady and attack him at all angles. I feel the biggest factor will be the protection Tom Brady has from his offensive line. Protecting Brady's blindside will be a tough task as the defensive front of the Giants has been murderous for the past month. Keeping Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul off of Brady will be a tall order. The Patriots will need to counter the aggressive style of the Giants and use draw plays and screen passes to effectively move the ball. If the Patriots can avoid third and long situations and keep Brady off his backside then the Patriots will score. If not it will be a long night for Mr. Brady.

Conversely, the ability of the Giants to run the ball with Jacobs and Bradshaw will be the key. They will need the clock running as to keep Brady and his offense off the field but also give the Giants defense a much needed breather. The Patriots defense throughout the season has been a bit "soft" but has stepped up lately. Eli is as cool as they come and has been super this whole postseason. He should have no problems moving the ball and finding his receiver corps of Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks in the very weak Patriots secondary. The Patriots were very lucky against the Ravens having almost let a touchdown score with seconds on the clock and then getting a botched field goal to end it. The Patriots have been good enough when it counts, but good enough doesn't win Super Bowls. It doesn't matter who your quarterback is. Just ask John Elway. He was arguably one of the best quarterbacks of all time, but before he won a Super Bowl he lost badly because his defense couldn't stop anyone and he had no running game. It really does come down to rushing the football and defense. The old saying goes that defense wins championships. This is why I feel it will be same old song for the Patriots.

The Giants will get to Brady a bunch and keep the high scoring offense at bay. Gronkowski will score a TD and Brady will again run one in. Stephen Gostkowski will split the uprights 3 times. The Giants will run the ball effectively and keep the chains moving. They will get TD's from Bradshaw on the ground, Manningham in the air, and a fumble return by J.P.P. The fourth quarter will see saw but clutch play from Eli Manning will be the difference. In the end Lawrence Tynes will kick a field goal as time expires.

The final score New York Giants 24, New England Patriots 23

Eli MVP!